Quetzaltenango (Xela) Restaurants

  1. Al Andalus

    Xela's Spanish restaurant comes up with the goods in terms of paella, lentils and chorizo (spicy sausage) and other Spanish favorites. It's set in a charming courtyard ringed by potted plants and Moorish archways.

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  2. Blue Angel Video Café

    Economical café with excellent, healthy Guatemalan & Latin American food and an awesome tea selection - popular with language students.

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  3. Café El Árabe

    Fans of Middle Eastern food will be thrilled to find such an authentic place here, just off Parque Centroamérica. The Arabic bread is made on the premises and the ingredients for all dishes are lovely and fresh. You can fill up on meat dishes but there are plenty of vegetarian choices. The falafel and dips are wonderful.

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  4. Café Q

    The varied international flavors at Q's include interesting vegetarian options such as falafel, soy burgers and chickpea soup.

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  5. Café Sagrado Corazón

    This is an excellent place for Guatemalan home cooking. Regional specialties such as pepian and jocom are often on the menu, but there's always fried chicken and grilled beef as fallbacks. Meals are truly filling, coming with soup, tamalitos, rice, potatoes, avocado and salad.

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  6. Casa Antigua

    An excellent, tranquil spot right in the middle of downtown. Sandwiches are big, chunky affairs and there's plenty of steaks flame-grilling out front.

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  7. Casa Babylon

    With the widest menu in town, the Babylon is a travelers' favorite. Dishes run from big, tasty sandwiches to Guatemalan classics such as pepian , to more exotic fare such as fondue and Middle Eastern choices.

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  8. Cubatenango

    Authentic Cuban food with a Miami twist is the go here - ropa vieja (shredded beef), moros y cristianos (black beans and rice)and vaca frita (fried beef). The tostones (fried, mashed, savory bananas) are worth the trip alone, and this place makes a mean Mojito.

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  9. El Panorama

    This Swiss-owned restaurant (a 10-minute slog up the hill at the south end of town) does good set meals and raclette. The view is amazing and it's a romantic spot for that special night out.

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  10. Food Stalls

    Quetzaltenango has a good selection of places to eat in all price ranges. Cheapest are the food stalls in and around the small market to the left of the Casa de la Cultura, where snacks and main-course plates are sold for around US$1 or less.

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  12. Il Giardino

    The best pizzas in town are made by the Italian-descended family who run this place. It's set around a big leafy indoor garden and offers pasta, steaks and good salads and sandwiches, too.

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  13. Restaurante Las Calas

    An artistic sort of place with lilies growing in the patio and lily-themed art on the walls (and a gallery in the back), Las Calas serves good medium-priced meals. Satisfying portions of chicken, fish or beef are creatively prepared and served with a unique salsa picante . This restaurant also features cheaper vegetarian dishes and a daily regional specialty.

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  14. Royal Paris

    Xela's oldest French restaurant has some lovely cheesy steak dishes, cheap set lunches and live music on Friday and Saturday nights (reservations recommended).

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  15. Sabor de la India

    Probably the most authentic Indian dishes in the country, whipped up by a friendly Indian/Guatemalan couple. Servings are huge and there are plenty of vegetarian options.

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  16. Salón Tecún

    On the west side of Parque Centroamérica, the Tecún, consistently Xela's busiest bar, serves good bar food including the best burgers in town.

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  17. Utz Hua

    Delicious, authentic Guatemalan and Quetzalteco dishes for equally yummy prices. The restaurant is well (if slightly frantically) decorated, and it's worth stopping by to check out the indoor thatched roof, if nothing else.

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